a work in progress

Chapter 8 - An Inkling

"Tell me again, what brought you to SMU?"

"I've been in search of the perfect academic home for what feels like an eternity. I have been looking for somewhere that welcomes me as much as I embrace it and that naturally paves the road to my destiny," I said staring wildly into the distance.

"MC?"

"Yes," I asked looking at Luca to find him staring at me intensely.

"Who are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, the way you speak about pretty much every facet of life is unlike any person I've ever encountered. You're here in search of something that paves the road to your destiny?"

"I know that probably sounds flighty. My mom always tells me I'm too based in fairy tale. I'm working on that."

"No. Not flighty. And don't change a thing. You're refreshing. I love that about you."

"You do?" I asked uncertain whether he meant to say love in relation to me.

"I absolutely do," he confirmed. "In fact, I think that's one of the things I love most about you."

There it was again, that word – love. Twice in a row couldn't possibly be accidental. I didn't think.

"Well, I appreciate and love that you love that about me," I rambled fearing that I was developing a skin rash because of all the nervousness I was feeling.

"MC I –"

"What about you," I quickly asked unsure and frightened of what he was about to say, "Why are you here?"

"Oh, well I love the area and I know that the Psychology program here is good. I know it's not nearly as existentialistic as yours, but it's my story."

"Luca, don't rain on your own parade. I think your being here is pragmatic. It's sound; and it makes sense for you, which is all that matters."

"See, you did it again. Sounds so much better when you describe it than when I do," he said sliding closer to me on the bench we were sharing in the plaza outside the chapel.

"MC?"

"Yes?" I responded avoiding eye contact and expanding the space between us.

"Noe I - I've been meaning to talk to you about something," he said scooting closer to me.

"Sure, what's going on?" I asked glancing briefly at him before sliding to the furthest edge of the bench and peering again in the opposite direction.

"It's just that," he said closing the final gap between us, raising my chin and turning my face toward him.

"We've been spending a lot of time together you and me. And I would be lying to the both of us if I didn't say that I really like it, and as you like to say, I appreciate you," he began cautiously.

"Everything about you – the time you give me, your energy, your enthusiasm for life, has helped me see that I really want for all of you to be a more permanent and exclusive part of my life."

"Oh my goodness you scare me," I said gently dislodging my chin from his grasp.

"What? Why?" he asked genuinely disturbed.

"I don't know. Maybe it's all this premature honesty. Or maybe it's just I've never been so directly appreciated, that I don't even know what to say."

"MC," he said turning, pulling my legs across his and taking both my hands in his.

"If you'll have me, I'd love to be your boyfriend. You're the only thing that crosses my mind each day and though we've only just begun to learn each other these two months, I can already imagine a very long future with you."